council housing

[AlfieJMummy]

my partner and I had a surprise very unplanned pregnancy, we used protection which failed! (i love my son with my whole heart, and i wouldn’t change anything for the world) but we were both still living at home and only 20!

we had no idea about council housing and we ended up moving into a rented property and although we can afford the rent and the bills it’s a very tight squeeze and we’re really struggling, and we were advised to look into council housing.

my question is, we signed a year tenancy, so if we were to be offered a council house within that year, would I be able to take it and end my tenancy early?
thank you.

I doubt you will be offered a council house within a year?! Where do you live? In my area the wait is 10 years minimum

There will probably be something about ending the tenancy early in the paperwork you signed. Have you got a copy so you can have a look?

Tbh if you have a roof over your head you won't be a priority for a council house so in most areas you wouldn't be offered anything within a year anyway.

As another poster said, it is unlikely that you would get something (although nothing ventured, nothing gained!).

In terms of ending your private tenancy, look at your tenancy agreement - most will have something like 6 months commitment initially, after which you can end with a month’s notice.

Check out your council’s page to find out how to join the housing register. However, as you can afford to rent privately (even if it seems a squeeze) and you’re unlikely to be overcrowded then the odds of you being added to the register are very slim. In my area, people are being removed due to having no prospect of getting a council property and the remaining list will still have 5/10 year waits for others.

Also take a look at a benefits entitlement calculator, like entitledto, to make sure you’re getting everything you can.

I very much doubt you’d be offered a house more like a flat and likely not in a year. Get yourself on to website and apply though.or housing associations.

I’ve been in temporary accommodation for 4 years waiting for a house, so if it had taken a year it would’ve been fab. Sadly still waiting. Some councils do a mid market rent initiative or similar to help people get a lower rent home so ask if they have anything like that. In my area it’s 1-2 bed properties and I need 3/4 which is a pain.